Learning goals
We are learning to…
- describe significant instances of cooperation and conflict in Canada during this period
- identify a variety of significant individuals and groups in Canada during this period
- identify factors contributing to some key events or developments that occurred in and/or affected Canada between 1850-1890
- assess the credibility of relevant sources and information and communicate the results of our inquiries using appropriate vocabulary
Success criteria
I am able to…
- apply the historical thinking concepts to the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance
- explain the impact of western settlement on the Métis people and the role individuals made to these two events
- explain the reasons the North-West Mounted Police were created and their role in the formation of Canada, as well as communicate the conflicts that the North-West Mounted Police were involved in
- analyse the relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, using a credible news source
Minds On
Attributes
In this learning activity, you will learn about the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance and analyze the impact of western settlement on the Métis. Then, you will explore the creation of the North-West Mounted Police and the conflicts that they were involved in. By analyzing these conflicts, you will consider the role the North-West Mounted Police had in the settlement and expansion of Canada.
Brainstorm
Think
If possible, with a partner, brainstorm and respond to the following questions:
- What attributes do you associate with the term “rebel”?
- What attributes do you associate with the term “patriot”?
Make a list of these attributes. Is there anything similar about these terms?
Consider the following questions.
- How would you define resistance? Rebellion?
- Are they the same or different?
- What role does power play in these definitions?
- What role does perspective play in these definitions?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Action
While the content in this learning activity is aligned to the curriculum, some content may be sensitive to individual learners. Consider reaching out to a trusted adult to share your feelings and questions.
Resistance and rebellions
Let’s read the following two passages about the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance. While reading the passages, complete the following fillable and printable Passages and Notes Activity. You can also use another method of your choice to record your thinking.
Press the Activity button to access the Passages and Notes Activity.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)
Reading Time
Red River Resistance
The Red River Resistance (also known as the Red River Rebellion) was an uprising from 1869-1870 in the Red River Colony. In 1869, the Hudson’s Bay Company sold Rupert’s Land to the Dominion of Canada for $1.5 million. The amount of land in this transaction amounted to almost seven million acres, all without consulting Indigenous Peoples.
As we work towards Truth and Reconciliation, information about lands and territories is constantly being updated. This map was created using information available as of July 2021 from The Canadian Encyclopedia.
DescriptionA map of historic Canada in 1870, including the newly-created province of Manitoba, as well as Upper Canada (now part of Ontario), Lower Canada (now part of Quebec) and the large area called Rupert's Land, which contained everything north of Manitoba, Upper Canada and Lower Canada. The route of the politicians and military personnel sent from Upper Canada to Manitoba to suppress the Métis resistance is marked with arrows, following a path from the labelled towns of Toronto, Collingwood, across the Great Lakes to Thunder Bay, through the Dawson Road trail and finally reaching Fort Garry.
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The Canadian government appointed English-speaking Governor William McDougall to govern the area, which today is known as Manitoba. The Métis were surprised by this transfer of their homeland and felt that the Hudson’s Bay Company did not possess the right to sell their territory without consultation or consent. The Métis were Roman Catholic and spoke French and many feared that their language and religion would soon be replaced. They were concerned that their traditional ways of life would be destroyed.
Before the land was officially transferred, the Métis, led by Louis Riel, prevented McDougall from entering the territory. McDougall argued that Hudson’s Bay Company was no longer in control and that the transfer of ownership should be postponed. Louis Riel would help to organize the National Committee of the Métis and help form and lead a Provisional (temporary) government to negotiate directly with the Canadian government, to establish Manitoba as a Canadian province.
The provisional government, which was made up of both English and French Métis created a list of rights. The list included the request for bilingual schools, that the Métis would have the right to elect their own government and that English and French would be spoken and used equally. These requests were presented to the Canadian government.
Meanwhile, Riel’s men arrested men who resisted the provisional government. Thomas Scott, a surveyor with the Canadian government, was arrested and eventually executed for treason. His death caused an outrage in Ontario, and many called for the arrest of Riel.
In 1870, the Parliament of Canada passed the Manitoba Act and Manitoba became Canada’s fifth province, although the government did not recognize Louis Riel and the Métis as its founders. The entry of Manitoba into Confederation soon saw an influx of Ontarian and French-Canadian settlers who soon outnumbered the Métis.
These newcomers were hostile to the Métis' desire to assert their rights and often persecuted the Métis. Hostilities and tensions emerged and in August, the Red River Expeditionary Force, commanded by Colonel Garnet Wolseley was sent by Ottawa to “pacify” the region. He arrived in Manitoba with about 1,000 troops and began a reign of terror against Métis citizens. In the face of fear and violence, more than half of the Métis in the province of Manitoba left for the Northwest Territories or the Dakota territory. Warned by many that he would be harmed because of his leadership role, Louis Riel fled to the United States of America.
Sources:
Beal, Bob. “Red River Expedition.” Red River Expedition | The Canadian Encyclopedia, The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/red-river-expedition.
Canadian Geographic. “Red River Resistance.” Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, Canadian Geographic, 5 June 2018, https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/red-river-resistance/.
Reading Time
North-West Resistance
The North-West Resistance (also known as the North-West Rebellion) was a five-month conflict in 1885 between the Canadian government and mainly the Métis and their First Nations allies, in what is present-day Saskatchewan and Alberta.
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The Métis were frustrated that the government did not address their request for greater political representation and formal title of their lands, despite being promised both. At this time, bison herds were depleting rapidly as settlers moved rapidly to these areas, and overhunting diminished the population, which threatened the Métis' way of life. Frustrated, the Métis called Louis Riel back from the United States to lead their protests.
Riel and the Métis petitioned Prime Minister John A. Macdonald to request for separate provincial status. The government didn't respond to their request, which ultimately led to the conflict.
In March of 1885, an armed force of Métis formed a provisional government in the community of Duck Lake. Approximately 100 North-West Mounted Police and armed citizens arrived to negotiate an agreement. However, the negations quickly turned into confusion, and police and volunteers fired on the Métis. The battle ended shortly after with injuries and deaths on both sides.
From there, the conflict escalated quickly, and the federal government sent over 5,000 troops to the area on the new railway. The battle took place at the Métis settlement of Batoche, where the outnumbered Métis were defeated after four days of fighting.
Louis Riel surrendered and was charged with treason. His trial divided the nation as many in English Canada saw him as a rebel, which many in French Canada saw him as a hero because he defended the rights of the Métis. Ultimately, he was found guilty, but the jury recommended mercy. They feared his execution would bring conflict to French Canada. However, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald refused to pardon (forgive) Riel for his actions and he was hung to death on November 16th, 1885.
Passages and notes
After reading through the passages and taking your notes, check out the completed Passages and Notes Activity.
Access the following printable completed Passages and Notes Activity document.
Press the Activity button to access the Passages and Notes Activity Completed.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Key contributions
The North-West Resistance was a key moment in Canadian history, driven by several individuals. In this section, you will choose one key figure to explore and present your findings in a creative biographical poster.
1. Pick one of the individuals involved in the North-West Resistance from the following list:
- Gabriel Dumont
- Big Bear
- Joseph Ouellette
- Poundmaker
2. Next, research about their contributions and involvement.
Let’s start your research by searching for your chosen individual. You may wish to access encyclopedias or other reliable sources. Record your research notes and ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
3. Create a biographical poster in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Use the following checklist to ensure that you have included all of the necessary details in your poster
Does my poster include:
The North-West Mounted Police
After the Red River Resistance, the Canadian government was concerned about reports of conflict and illegal whisky trading. In response, it created the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1873 to restore order in the Northwest Territories, which at the time included Manitoba, parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the northern regions.
The NWMP were modeled after the Royal Irish Constabulary and wore a distinctive uniform: a scarlet tunic and blue trousers. Applicants had to be men between 18 and 40 years old and able to read English or French. Many applied, and those with military or police experience were often accepted.
Description
Image 2: A historical map of northern Canada showing the area of the Northwest Territories. It shows the territory stretching across the northern part of the country, including lands that are now divided among Canada's three northern territories.
The NWMP had many responsibilities. They enforced bans on alcohol, collected taxes, and upheld treaties on behalf of the government. They also enforced the Indian Act, which aimed to force Indigenous Peoples to assimilate to the government’s idea of Canadian society. This included enforcing laws, carrying out orders to remove children from their families and send them to residential schools.
Although the North-West Mounted Police's history is complex. For settlers and the government, they represented safety and order. For many Indigenous communities, they were a symbol of a government taking control of their lands and limiting their freedom, culture and livelihood.
The Indian Act
The Indian Act is a set of federal laws created in 1876 that addressed Indigenous culture, language, and identity. The laws were created to assimilate Indigenous Peoples into government's view of Canadian life and values.
Becoming the RCMP
In 1920, the RCMP was created out of the North-West Mounted Police. Its headquarters moved from Regina to Ottawa, and they were given jurisdiction over all of Canada.
Today the RCMP serves as the main policing force in eight provinces and three territories. It is also their job to protect high levels of government, fight terrorism and organized crime, and keep the borders of our country safe.
While women have been employed in various roles in the RCMP since the 1890s, they were not accepted as uniformed officers until 1974.
Military
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a proud military heritage.
Check out some of the conflicts in which the RCMP has been involved in.
Press the following tabs to learn more about the RCMP’s contributions to historical events
The North-West Mounted Police fought in the Battle of Duck Lake during the North-West Rebellion. Although outnumbered more than three to one, the 56 NWMP and their volunteers managed to retreat. They lost the battle at Duck Lake but would eventually join forces with militia sent from the east to defeat the Métis at the Battle of Batoche.
The Second African War would be the first time that Canadian troops were dispatched for service overseas. Tensions in parts of Africa had been mounting for decades until war erupted between Britain and two smaller republics in South Africa. The North-West Mounted Police were able to attract more trained mounted men than the regular army, and they were recruited to the newly-formed Canadian Mounted Rifles. This unit was highly effective overseas and earned a reputation for aggressive scouting.
When Britain declared war on Germany in August of 1914, Canada, as a colony of Britain, was automatically at war as well. Members of the North-West Mounted Police were eager to do their part for their country and many were eager to be deployed for service in Europe.
Unfortunately, the government wanted the NWMP to stay in Canada and provide essential wartime duties for security and the protection of the railway. This was not widely supported by the men of the NWMP, which led many to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force once their time had expired.
RCMP and Indigenous Peoples today
Although the RCMP helped to expand the Dominion of Canada, in recent years greater scrutiny has turned to the relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous Peoples.
The RCMP, as a force, is aware of their need to rekindle trust and strengthen the relations with Indigenous communities in Canada. They are working to acknowledge and learn from their past, analyze their current relationship, and work with Indigenous communities to strengthen their relationship in the future.
What is the current relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous communities?
Research
Using a reputable news site such as CBC, national or provincial newspapers/news sites, or Indigenous news sites, research for a recent story relating to the RCMP and Indigenous communities in Canada today, and complete the following chart:
Complete the fillable and printable Research Activity in your notebook or using the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Consolidation
Opinions and thoughts
Let’s continue to learn more about the Indigenous and Métis resistance during this time period and into contemporary times.
In the form of a well-constructed paragraph, choose one of the following topics, and use evidence throughout this learning activity to support your opinion.
Press the following tabs to learn more about each topic.
Both “resistance” and “rebellion” have been used to describe the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance . Why do you think different groups use different terms? What might impact their decision to use “resistance” or “rebellion”?
Revisit the brainstorm activity from the Minds On section. Consider the attributes you associate with the terms “rebel” and “patriot.” Based on your learning, which term do you think the government is more likely to use to describe the people who participated in the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? Which term do you think the Métis are more likely to use?
What similarities are there between the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? How did these two events unite the Métis, yet at the same time bring them into conflict with settlers and the Canadian government?
How did Confederation and the settlement of the West impact the lives and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples?
Why is a historical perspective important in understanding the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? How can different points of view help us understand the past?
Create your paragraph in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable document, or in a method of your choice. Press the Activity button to access Historical Perspective: My Opinion Paragraph organizer.
Press the Activity button to access the Historical Perspective: My Opinion Paragraph organizer.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Use the following checklist to ensure that you have included all of the necessary details in your paragraph.
Your paragraph should contain the following:
Building stronger relationships
In what ways can the RCMP help to heal the relationship between themselves and Indigenous Peoples today?
Create a list of recommendations that could help to make a better relationship between the RCMP and Indigenous Peoples. For each recommendation that you list, explain how this would help to create a stronger relationship in the future.
Who could you communicate this list of recommendations to? Why would you choose this audience? How could you most effectively share these recommendations to this audience?
In a method of your choice, describe your choices for audience and format and then create a plan for this communication.
Press the Show Example button to access a recommendation.
The RCMP should consult with Indigenous leaders when determining their responsibilities within Indigenous communities. This would help the RCMP as a force understand the needs of those living in Indigenous communities.
Complete the fillable and printable Recommendations List in your notebook or using the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.